Cornel West speaks at pro-Palestine encampment in Oakland

Professor, philosopher and activist Cornel West spoke Thursday at the encampment in Oakland where pro-Palestinian demonstrators are demanding that the University of Pittsburgh divest from any war-related investment in Israel.

West, who is also running for president as an independent, showed up at Schenley Plaza to speak during a rally at 1 p.m. The rally drew more than 100 people.

“We encamp in the name of courage and compassion and solidarity,” he said. “We hate occupation. We hate domination. We hate injustice. I hate patriarchy. I hate homophobia. I hate transphobia. I hate white supremacy.

“Are you listening to the voices of those who are suffering, and are you courageous enough to stand up for those who are suffering? That’s why we’re here because they’re suffering.”

Happening now in Pittsburgh: Listen to a portion of the speaker event at the pro-Palestine encampment @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/ztowEjNt9G

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) April 25, 2024

West said he heard about the encampment and wanted to stop by to speak before a scheduled speaking engagement Thursday evening at Hosanna House Pittsburgh’s Hill District.

“I stayed much longer than I thought, but I’m glad to be here,” he said. “(The encampment) lets the world know that there are people here in Pittsburgh who have golden hearts in terms of being concerned about genocide taking place in Gaza,” West said.

In addition to Princeton University, West has taught at Union Theological Seminary, Yale University, Harvard University and the University of Paris; has written 20 books; and has edited 13 others.

Pitt’s motto is Veritas et Virtus, which is Latin for “truth and virtue.” West referred to the motto while speaking.

“They’re lifting their voices, they’re letting Palestinians know that they are not alone in the world — that’s very important,” he said. “We’ve seen genocide before, and we have to be honest about what it is and fight against it.”

The encampment included over 30 tents. They were surrounded by small Palestinian flags and banners reading, “Stop The Genocide” and “Ceasefire Now.”

Protesters want Pitt also want the university to issue a statement condemning “genocide in Gaza.”

The extent of Pitt’s investments in Israeli military and defense companies was not immediately clear on Thursday. Protest organizers have said they have been told by the university that the information in confidential.

The protest has been peaceful and is expected to last through Friday. It was organized by a group of students that have organized under the name “Pitt Divest from Apartheid.”

When the demonstration began on Tuesday, Pitt spokesman Jared Stonesifer said the university embraced the right of demonstrators to protest. The university asked the protesters to move the encampment from campus grounds to city property.

Schenley Plaza, adjacent to Hillman Library and across Forbes Avenue, is on city property just off campus. The encampment is set up with tents, food, water, literature and toiletries.

Thursday’s rally intended to educate people about the encampment, according to Pitt student Cameryn Gray.

“When we heard that Cornel West would come, we couldn’t pass up that opportunity,” said Gray, 20, of Oakland. “We chose not to endorse him because we don’t want to be a camp that endorses anything political, but it was an honor to have him come speak.”

Deena Eldaour, who is of Palestinian descent, said she has many family members who are still in Gaza. She came to the encampment for the first time on Thursday to speak and share her family members’ experiences.

“This matter is very personal to us,” said Eldaour, 22, of Green Tree.

She said she’s been able to communicate with her relatives in Gaza.

“Right now, a lot of my family members are living in the tents,” said Eldaour, a first-year dental student at Ohio State. “Some of them fled Gaza, some of them we were able to bring over here, some of them we were able to bring in other countries.”

She said she planned to return to the Oakland encampment.

“My family has been pretty concerned about the arrests … at other campuses, but it seems here that it’s pretty relaxed,” Eldaour said.

Peace is the main message of the encampment, not hate, she said.

“Just seeing how much media attention it’s been getting has been amazing — it’s been making a huge difference,” Eldaour said. “Even to my family members in Gaza, they’ve been … watching the protests, and it’s been giving us a lot of hope to be honest.”

Staff writer Bill Schackner contributed to this report.